What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.  

In the marketing world, companies fall victim to “insanity” far too often: running the same direct mail campaigns over and over again, expecting a different result.

Sound familiar? Well, it’s time to end the madness. 

To continually drive traffic and conversions, adept marketers have to keep testing different strategies and tactics. That’s the only way to maximize marketing spend and ROI. 

One effective testing approach is A/B testing. 

What is A/B testing?

Finding the perfect direct mail piece or offer can feel like an uphill climb. Fortunately, with A/B testing, you can tinker, refine, and optimize your direct mail campaign until you have the best possible advertisement. 

True to its name, A/B testing is the process of segmenting your audience into two groups (e.g. group A and group B) and sending each group a different version of an advertisement. The better performing version becomes the control group – the benchmark for future tests.

Here are three tips to keep in mind when you perform A/B testing. 

Set goals

Before you dive into A/B testing, it’s important to set goals first. Every experiment needs an underlying goal. Do you want to drive more traffic to your website? How much traffic? Be specific. 

Do you want more readers to provide an email or download your app? How many emails or downloads? Be specific. 

Determine what you ultimately want to accomplish before getting started. Keep in mind, the larger the sample size, the more reliable the results. For instance, 20,000 mailings will provide more reliable results than 2,000. 

Experiment with different offers

As any marketer can attest, there are a ton of different types of offers. Freebies, limited-time offers, special enrollment periods – the list is long. So, here’s a brief list of examples to give you some ideas:

1. Discount on a product/service (e.g. 20% off or $50 off)
2. Discount on second product/service (e.g. buy one get one 50% off)
3. Free coupons
4. Free gift 
5. Free trial
6. Limited time offers
7. Sweepstakes

 Once you compile the base of your direct mail ad, tinker with the promotion. For instance, you could have one group receive a discount while another could receive a free trial. 

Mix up your presentation

Your ad’s presentation can be just as much of a factor as the offer. Formatting, headlines, wording, and imagery can all impact someone’s interpretation and engagement of your direct mail ad.  

Try mixing up your headline. The impact of one keyword can’t be overstated. 

If you decide to alter your presentation, make sure this change is the only variable you test. Otherwise, you risk compromising your results (i.e. you won’t know if it’s the presentation or the offer that’s driving results). 

The effectiveness of A/B testing lies within the commitment to changing only one aspect of an ad. 

Test, test, and test some more

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one demographic may not vibe with another. That’s why it’s important to keep testing. 

 That’s the only way to continually improve your direct mail advertisements. 

Here’s a quick four-step summary of A/B testing with an example:

1. Segment your target audience into two groups (group A and group B). 
2. Pinpoint one element of your direct mail piece to alter. For example, let’s assume you’re advertising a $50 service. You could mix up your promotion’s offer: group A will receive a “$5 off” discount, while group B will receive a “10% off” discount. Both equate to the same discount – but they’re presented in two different ways. 
3. Ensure you can track attribution. Otherwise, you won’t know which version is performing better. Try using unique QR codes or personalized URLs for each group. 
4. Run your test. Compare your results against each other and your goals. The winner becomes the control group. 

Interested in learning how to make this happen for your company? We can help! Reach out to learn more.

‘Tis the season for U.S. Postal Service promotions.

Do you want to maximize your direct mail engagement and customer interaction? USPS is offering mailing incentives through the end of the year. These promotions encourage companies to test the latest print technologies and techniques. 

Programs details include:

The Tactile, Sensory, & Interactive Promotion

Promotion Period: Now through July 31, 2020

Registration: Now through July 31, 2020

USPS rewards creative marketers that leverage interactive print technologies and materials to connect with their customers. Eligible mailers that engage recipients with multi-sensory experiences (e.g. special visual effects, texture/tactile treatments, sound, etc.) can receive a 2% postage discount. 

Examples of materials and features that can qualify your postage for the discount include:

• Embossed paper
• Holographic images
• Metallic ink
• Photochromic ink (changes color with UV light exposure)
• Sound chips
• Scented paper

For questions, contact tactilesensorypromo@usps.gov. 

The Emerging and Advanced Technology Promotion

Promotion Period: March 1 – August 31, 2020

Registration: January 15 – August 31, 2020

The Emerging and Advancing Technology Promotion rewards the bold marketer – those who embrace advanced technologies like enhanced augmented reality, virtual reality, near field communication, and video in print in their direct mail campaigns. Eligible mailers can receive a 2% postage discount.  

To qualify, mailpieces must include directional copy (text that guides the customer to use the technology trigger). If the visual experience is only available via mobile devices, then your copy must state the available platform (e.g. this experience is only available on IOS devices).  

Other examples of directional copy are:

• “Scan the above logo for an interactive experience”
• “Download our app and scan this page for an AR experience”
• “Tap your NFC enabled device here”

For questions, reach out to emergingtechpromo@usps.gov. 

The Earned Value Promotion

Promotion Period: April 1 – June 30, 2020

Registration: February 15 – March 31, 2020

To rejuvenate First-Class Mail, USPS is offering the Earned Value Promotion to eligible businesses that use Business Reply Mail (BRM), Courtesy Reply Mail (CRM), and Share Mail (SM) pieces. 

For those that participated in the 2019 Earned Value Promotion, you will receive a $0.02 credit for each BRM, CRM, and/or SM piece. 

For 2019 Earned Value Promotion participants, if you reached between 93% and 100% of your overall volumes during the 2019 promotional period, you’ll receive a $0.02 credit per piece. If you exceeded your 2019 totals, you’ll earn $0.04 per piece. 

New participants will receive a $0.02 credit per piece.  

For questions, contact earnedvalue@usps.gov. 

The Personalized Color Transpromo Promotion

Promotion Period: July 1 – December 31, 2020

Registration: May 15 – December 31, 2020

If your business incorporates color, dynamic variable print, and personalization into its direct mail, you could receive a 2% discount via the 2020 Personalized Color Transpromo Promotion. This promotion applies to First Class Mail (consumer bills and statements only). 

To take advantage of the offer, you must include full-color marketing within consumer bills or statements (e.g. rewards program incentives, renewal incentives, coupons, etc.). 

For questions, reach out to fcmcolorpromotion@usps.gov. 

The Mobile Shopping Promotion

Promotion Period: August 1 – December 31, 2020

Registration: June 15 – December 31, 2020

The Mobile Shopping Promotion connects direct mail to digital experiences using technologies like Quick Response (QR) Codes, Snap Tags, Amazon Smile Codes, and Watermarks. This promotion offers a 2% discount and only applies to Marketing Mail letters and flats.

Regardless of the technology you use, it must direct viewers to a digital site that contains relevant information based on the letter. 

For questions, contact mailingpromotions@usps.gov.

The Informed Delivery Promotion

Promotion Period: September 1 – November 30, 2020

Registration: July 15 – November 30, 2020

Informed Delivery is a USPS program that allows recipients to preview their mail online. Businesses that launch Informed Delivery interactive campaigns could be eligible to receive a 2% discount on postage. Eligible mail includes:

• First Class Mail presort and automation letters, cards, and flats
• USPS Marketing Mail letters and flats
• Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail letters and flats

For questions, reach out to promotion-informeddelivery@usps.gov.

These incentives encourage marketers to think outside the box and experiment with new technologies. Maximize your creativity and experiment with a new direct mail piece this year.

For enrollment user guides and additional information, visit the USPS’s promotions page.

At first glance, printed materials may appear to undermine environmental stewardship. But print houses are committed to consuming the least possible resources. The industry fully embraces the sustainability movement, and works to decrease its environmental impact every day. Below are 10 ways how:

1. Software allows the print designer to utilize the maximum area to decrease trim. Product logistics are solved in the simulated environment without printing prototypes multiple times.
2. Printers use recycled paper. Trim and other scraps are recycled.
3. Office paper waste is reduced by digital communication. Any office paper waste is recycled.
4. Many printers set up shop in energy efficient buildings.
5. Old models are replaced with new energy efficient equipment, such as HVAC units and presses.
6. Non-toxic dry inks are used in addition to recycled waste colorants and developers.
7. Digital practices are in place so only the quantity needed is printed.
8. Heat produced by hard-working equipment is captured as a heat source for offices during the winter.
9. Environmentally friendly products are used such as alcohol-free dampening solutions and water-based/low-ammonia emission aqueous coating (which also reduces fingerprints).
10. LED lighting found in many facilities use at least 75% less energy, and last 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting.

These examples illustrate how printers are eco-aware and protecting the environment. The industry is doing its part by working to reduce the overall carbon footprint, control energy efficiency and eliminate unnecessary waste.

We may live in a digital era, but traditional direct mail marketing is alive and well. Don’t believe us? Here are statistics (courtesy of the ANA/DMA 2018 Response Rate Report) to change your mind:

• Consumers open 90% of direct mail – versus only 20-30% of emails. 
• Direct mail’s response rate is 4.9% for prospect lists.
• Direct mail’s response rate is 9% for house lists.
• Email response rate is 1% for both household and prospect lists.

Email marketing has its applications. However, you also should consider adding direct mail campaigns to your company’s marketing strategy. 

Serious advancements are emerging in the direct mail space. Incorporating new technologies into direct mail campaigns makes it easier for your customers to respond to your campaigns, which boosts response rates and ROI. 

Video-In-Print

Video-in-print (video brochure) is a unique approach to gain attention. With maximized creativity, it provides a lasting impression with customized print, sound, and video. 

This visual enhancement is subject to higher costs, ranging from $30 to $100 per unit depending on quantity. When combined with the right personalization strategy, video-in-print is a powerful tool for increasing response rates.  

Quick Response (QR) Codes

QR codes date back to 1994, but they remain effective. Using a smartphone, readers scan personalized URLs. This method not only makes it easier for customers to engage with direct mail – it’s also easier to track. Here are different ways your company can utilize QR codes: 

1. Link to a certain landing page within your sales funnel.
2. Link to educational material that informs prospects about your company and products/services.
3. Link to discounts, coupons, or limited-time content. 

 By providing clear benefits and quick call-to-actions, your QR code direct mail campaigns can significantly elevate response rates. 

Voice Activated Call to Action (VACTA)

Voice-activated devices, like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, empower users with the ability to perform actions with only their voice. 

These gadgets are taking homes by storm. 

According to the Winter 2019 Smart Audio Report, 60+ million people over the age of 18 owns a smart speaker, compared to 39 million in 2017. 

In September 2019, Respond Fast launched the Voice Activated Call to Action, which allows prospects and customers to respond to direct mail content by voice. With this technology, a unique phrase is included in your advertisement that readers repeat into a smart speaker. It’s like a QR code – but the reader doesn’t need to use a smartphone or access an app. 

Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented reality is becoming more common in marketing. Whether it’s an unbelievable bus shelter or the store of the future, AR is an effective tool for engaging your audience.

By incorporating AR into your direct mail campaign, readers are encouraged to download an app and interact with your advertisement. For example, Jaguar’s direct mail piece invites mail recipients to download the company’s app and take a 360-degree look at the F-type – right on the viewer’s kitchen table. Once users witness the car coming to life, they’re prompted to search for local test drives (a seamless call-to-action to get prospects to dealerships). 

Now is the time to experiment with new technologies that direct mail campaigns offer. Mount Vernon Printing can help. We are leaders in commercial offset, web and digital printing services. For more information, call 301-341-5600 or visit www.mvprint.com.

As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. But, at least in the direct mail space, you can’t expect people to take action without some pretty powerful words.

And you only have so many words to convince your readers to act. Word choice matters, headlines matter, readability matters. Small adjustments can be the difference between success and failure. So, the copy of your direct mail campaign deserves plenty of attention.

Here are five straightforward copy tips to keep in mind as you design your next direct mail campaign.

Entice your customers with an intriguing headline

Headlines determine whether your ad sinks or swims. 

“On the average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy. When you have written your headline, you have spent eighty cents out of your dollar.” – David Ogilvy

In other words, your headline plays a big role in the success of your ad. 

Headings don’t just break your copy into digestible segments, they summarize pain points and entice readers to keep reading. They convey your understanding while priming a potential solution.

Consider a General Electric air conditioning ad from the 1950s, “Why swelter through another hot summer?” It hits a common struggle for people during the summer (hot days), while suggesting there’s a possible solution if you continue reading. 

Headlines should embody a unique angle – one that will have readers wanting more. If your headlines don’t hook your readers, your ad doesn’t stand a chance. 

Emphasize benefits, not features

Features are great, but they don’t close the deal. You must bridge the gap between your product’s features and the benefits they provide your customers. 

 People aren’t looking to compliment the many features of your product or service. Consumers are more self-focused than that. Copy shouldn’t say, “Oh, look how great we are.” It should highlight how it’ll benefit the reader, “Here’s how our great products solve your problems.” 

Avoid big blocks of copy

Have you ever gotten a huge, block text message from someone? It doesn’t matter if they’re telling a long story or venting about something, that huge chunk of text is hard to read. Our eyes strain to read every consecutive, layered line.

Ads with long paragraphs are hard to read. When the objective is to retain your readers’ attention and interest, why risk pushing them away with overwhelming copy?

Think of it this way, would you rather eat a sandwich in three monstrous chomps or ten normal-sized bites? Keep your paragraphs short and easy to digest.

Use clear, easy-to-understand language

Readability is a critical component of your copy. When it comes to writing a compelling ad, complex sentences and advanced vocabulary are not the ingredients of success. Technical copy riddled with jargon will deter your readers – you’ll lose their attention, and your ad will wind up in the trash. 

Concise sentences, short paragraphs, and easy vocabulary are the key components of readable copy. 

Include an irresistible offer

People are bombarded with thousands of ads every day. Our minds are in a constant state of information sifting. If you want someone to act on your direct mail piece, you must include an irresistible offer. The offer needs to be engaging enough for the reader to take immediate action. 

Leverage psychological persuasion tactics like social proof, scarcity, and consistency. For example, “limited time” and “supplies are running out” imply scarcity. They suggest limited time and supply, eliciting a sense of urgency. 

In addition, every offer should include a clear call-to-action. Although calls-to-action conclude your direct mail copy, they should be top of mind as you design your campaign. From the beginning, you should have an objective in mind: what do you want readers to do? What’s the ultimate action you hope to inspire?

Do you want them to download a brochure or sign-up for a newsletter? Make it obvious and convenient.

Want to learn more? Reach out to us at MVP for more information on how we can help make your next direct mail campaign a success!

Have you ever considered adopting an omnichannel retail strategy? Omnichannel isn’t a new concept, but it continues to grow in popularity and develop in functionality. Many companies, including retail giants Target, Amazon, Nordstrom, and Nike, have invested a lot of capital and time in creating a seamless omnichannel experience for consumers.

Trying to rejuvenate your physical stores?

One solution is to incorporate proximity marketing techniques – like beacon technology – into your brick-and-mortar stores. Beacons, which are wireless devices that connect with nearby cellphones, can be strategically placed throughout your store to enhance your customers’ shopping experience. 

So long as a shopper has your app and has Bluetooth enabled, you can push content and notifications to their device, such as personalized messages, promotions, and discounts. 

Some of the world’s largest brands have already incorporated beacon technology into their stores and marketing efforts – such as Macy’s, Starbucks, Target, Pepsi, and Amazon. For example, to provide customers with timely deals and recommendations, Target rolled out beacon technology in 50 of its stores in 2015. Since then, the retailers has further augmented these stores with improved indoor mapping and a news-feed content stream. 

Enable hyper-personalization

Beacon technology empowers retail companies with the ability to communicate with customers at critical moments along their purchase journey. By delivering tailored, hyper-personalized content to users based on their location, you can bolster your in-store shopping experience.

 Similar to online shopping, this technology allows your company to leverage previous purchases to make relevant recommendations and offer personalized discounts. As a result, customers feel more engaged and their brand loyalty is increased. 

For example, Allrecipes, one of the world’s largest digital food brands, added beacons to Marc’s grocery store, leveraging their app to suggest dinner recipes to shoppers. This addition helped shoppers make purchase decisions and enhanced the customer experience. 

Increased likelihood of sales

Per a consumer retail study, 73% of in-store shoppers that received beacon-generated content said they had an increased likelihood of making a purchase. Further, 61% of shoppers said they would do more holiday shopping at locations that offered mobile content and promotions during their in-store visit. Finally, 60% of respondents said they would buy more as a result of personalized content pushes. 

 Blending offline and online experiences drives customer engagement, which, in turn, increases loyalty and leads to more purchases.

Increased app usage

Beacon technology can increase app usage as well, as customers have to access your app during their visit to take advantage of promotions, discounts, coupons, etc. After installing beacons, retailer Carrefour experienced a 400% increase in app engagement. 

Collect critical data

By pairing in-store shopping experiences with digital technology, companies gain another outlet for tracking consumer preferences and purchases. This data can then be repurposed for future campaigns and promotions. For instance, retailers can determine product preferences, coupon popularity, and key traffic hours – and adjust strategies based on results. 

What is your company doing to retain its members? Did your retention rates rise or fall in 2019?

If you’re less than pleased with your member retention rates, it’s time to optimize your platform. 

Members may leave for a variety of reasons. Per MGI’s 2019 report, the top four reasons that prompted members to leave were: (1) lack of engagement, (2) couldn’t justify costs, (3) left the field/industry, and (4) lack of value. 

You can’t control or predict your members’ career moves - but you are in direct control of member engagement, pricing, and value proposition. Here are nine ways to retain and grow your membership. 

Simplify your onboarding process

The slightest speed bump or hiccup during a prospect’s onboarding process could drive them away. Lengthy applications, ambiguous instructions, faulty pages, you name it. Your onboarding process should be straightforward, easy-to-follow, and concise. 

Provide immediate value

As we’ve mentioned, one of the biggest drivers of member retention is perceived value. If a member doesn’t think the ROI is high enough, they’re likely to renege. That’s why it’s important to demonstrate your platform’s worthiness right off the bat. Communicate the benefits of being a member early and often. 

Streamline your site’s roadmap

If a prospect or member is confused by your site’s formatting and organization, they’re likely to be dissuaded from renewing. Minimize the number of clicks required to navigate your site. Ensure content and resources are easy to identify and locate. Having a “Start Here” page that overviews your site can be beneficial. 

Survey your existing members

Who better to answer your member retention questions than your own members? Surveying your existing membership can help you identify your strengths, expose issues, and highlight potential opportunities. By being direct with your members and asking why they’re inclined to stay, you demonstrate your commitment to providing value. 

Offer multiple membership options

Membership plans do not have to be “one size fits all.” Try offering multiple plans with incremental pricing, levels of access, and optionality. This segments and empowers your membership. One member may be cost-conscious and prefer the cheaper plan, while another member may want more access regardless of price. 

Preview upcoming events and content

Members appreciate transparency. Providing your membership with a calendar of upcoming events or content schedule creates anticipation and sets an expectation. By granting your members this level of insight, you demonstrate the benefits and value of being a member. 

Promote an active community

One of the best ways to increase engagement is to maintain an active community. Try adding a forum to your site or allow members to contribute success stories. This creates an interconnectedness between your members, increasing engagement and the likelihood of retention. 

Utilize member testimonials

According to a consumer survey, over 90% of respondents attested that reviews impacted their purchase decision. Displaying member testimonials on your site allows you to leverage the influence of social proof. People trust other people. If prospects or members can see the value you provide your members, they’ll be more inclined to sign up or stay with you. 

Provide exit surveys to departing members

Some member attrition is inevitable, but you can make the most of the situation by getting feedback. It’s important to figure out what drove them to opt-out and if you could have done anything to change their mind. You never know - reaching out to a non-renewing member and expressing concern may just persuade them to stay. 

 What does your company do to compete for a person’s limited attention?

 On any given day, the typical consumer deals with sensory overload, sifting through noise and consuming pertinent information. This reduces the window of opportunity for businesses to vie for their valuable attention. 

 One of the primary catalysts of this overwhelming environment is the smartphone. 

 Smartphones have changed the way people seek information and interact with companies. At any second, you can whip out your phone and have virtually unlimited access to information on anything and everything. Our cellular devices are invaluable tools that have reshaped our daily lives – including buying experiences.

 The customer journey can now be stretched across points-in-time and locations (physical and digital). It’s evolved into a series of critical “micro-moments” that determine the actions people take.

 A term first coined by Google, micro-moments are “intent-driven moments of decision-making and preference-shaping that occur throughout the entire consumer journey.” In other words, they’re the moments when consumers decide to seek more information or to take action. They can occur at any point, like on commutes to work or during Sunday brunch. 

 Micro-moments are separated across four categories of distinct desires: 

1. I-want-to-know moments: the times when a consumer is looking for more information, whether that’s wanting more detail behind a product or comparing two separate services. For example, wanting to find the most cost-effective hotel for a trip or figuring out the most affordable car insurance. 
2. I-want-to-go moments: these moments represent a consumer’s desire to go to a specific location with the intention to browse for a product or service – which might lead to a purchase. 
3. I-want-to-do moments: when someone wants to learn a new skill, try something new, or needs help completing a task. This generally entails a quick “how to” search in moments of need – like how to fix a leaky faucet or how to change a tire. 
4. I-want-to-buy moments: when a consumer is ready to make a purchase – but might need assistance. The most common instance occurs when consumers need help deciding between two products, whether that’s in-store or online. 

But, how exactly are you going to secure your target consumers finite attention? Here are three possibilities. 

Identify similarities and differences between your goals and your customers’ goals.

Before you can take advantage of critical micro-moments, it’s important to understand your company’s goals, as your marketing efforts and messages to consumers should be delivered with these goals in mind. 

That being said, it’s also important to recognize that your customers may have entirely different goals over the course of their buying experience. Identifying where your goals and your customers’ goals overlap helps you position your brand and maximize communication. 

Determine each touchpoint. 

Consumers can use several devices to search for information and interact with companies. Determine each possible touchpoint along the purchase timeline where a customer may interact with your company. 

Do people use mobile devices to interact with your company most of the time? Or are most of your conversions via desktop?

You can use this information to devise a strategy, so your company is prepared for these micro-moments. 

Deliver relevant content.

Relevant, insightful content increases your odds of capturing customers in these micro-moments. Content can be the difference-maker that aids customers from the initial “I-want-know” moments all the way to the final purchase. 

Consider a car insurance company’s approach to this. Positioning an accessible, easy-to-use estimate calculator on their homepage is an effective tool for providing answers to those “I-want-to-know” moments. 

 With the importance of micro-moments in mind, your company’s content strategy may need to be repurposed accordingly. If you need help with your strategy in 2020, please reach out to us. We’re here to help!

Popular doesn’t always mean better. We all know that digital channels are popular, and in most cases less expensive than paper, but printed periodicals have actually seen a rise in the past few years. Direct mail has also been overtaking email when it comes to successful marketing tactics.

It’s true, there has been a decline in direct mail volumes over the years. But what that means is that anything that does land in your customer’s mailbox, or on their desk gets attention, especially if it is done well. Direct mail is proactive and tactile — almost insisting that the recipient do something with it. Email rarely ever makes me feel that way, but it does make me want to hit “delete” a lot.

Email’s role in marketing has been changing. Aside from the obvious oversaturation in our inboxes, hijacking by scammers and spammers has contributed to this shift. The 2017 DMA Email Benchmarking Report says that marketing emails are being read some of the time, but as consumers become more cautious, the actual click-through rate has been steadily declining since 2015, when it ranked at 1.8%. The click-through rate lowered even more in 2016 to 1.6%. 

This is more proof that marketers should be thinking of an Integrated digital + print marketing strategy if they don’t already do so. There are really good correlations out there between consumers receiving physical mail that was produced with multiple areas of personalization and targeted messaging.  This leads to a call to action or being influenced to buy online after receiving the direct mail piece. 

Including direct mail in your mix, and having an omnichannel approach will help maximize your ROI from a marketing campaign. For example, a follow-up email can act as a reminder if it is timed right with another printed communication vehicle such as a catalog, or personalized content that your customer requested in the mail.  ROI increases when you connect content and messaging that is tailored to your customer as an individual.

According to DM News, 90% of people ages 25-34 find direct mail reliable and 87% like receiving it in the mail. Read: Millennials like the tactile feel of mail. I can talk your ear off about direct mail and how it can help your business. Contact us to learn more.